The Flemish artist F. Balthazar Solvyns lived in Calcutta from 1791 to 1803 and produced a remarkable series of etchings portraying the people of Bengal in their life and culture. With sections on caste occupations, household servants, festivals, religious mendicants and musical instruments, Solvyns includes a portrayal of the boats of Bengal in 36 etchings. Hardgrave reproduces these prints, together with Solvyns text, and a commentary on each plate